1. When is the deadline to submit an application to the Student Volunteers program?
The deadline for all completed Student Volunteers applications is Monday, 25 February 2008, 22:00 UTC/GMT). See Important Dates.

2. Can I submit the application to the Student Volunteers program after the deadline?
No. The deadline is absolute. All submissions receive equal consideration up until the published deadline. Please respect other contributors and allow time for unforeseen circumstances in your submission including, but not limited to, network connectivity, equipment failures, job impacts, life or family events, etc. These are outside of SIGGRAPH 2008's direct control and cannot be administered fairly.

3. Why is this so absolute?
Firstly, the answer is fairness and equal opportunity for consideration. This respects the application process for everyone. Secondly, Student Volunteers deadlines were designed to maximize applicaton development and quality for all applicants. Submission deadlines are set as late as possible, but they must also support quality in review, selection, and your volunteer efforts at SIGGRAPH 2008.

4. Are partial or incomplete submissions considered?
No. Volunteers are required to complete all application guidelines by the published deadline. The Student Volunteers Committee will evaluate the merit of each completed application as it was submitted at the deadline even if it does not meet the author's personal quality objectives. Please allow enough time to meet your own quality goals.

5. How will SIGGRAPH 2008 address network failures?
SIGGRAPH 2008 is only responsible for the availability of the submission server. If the Student Volunteers Chair is notified of a hardware or service failure for the submission system, he will authorize an appropriate adjustment and prominently post notices at several locations. All other network failures between your location and the SIGGRAPH server will not be exempted from the deadline. Please apply early to avoid connectivity-support problems or last-minute server performance. Note: The local clock on the submission server determines the final submission deadline time.

6. When and how will I be notified if I have been accepted?
All applicants who submit a completed application will be notified via email in April 2008.

Applications

1. Where do I fill out and submit my application to be a Student Volunteer?
All applications must be submitted via the SIGGRAPH 2008 Online Application Form.

2. How do I apply to be a Student Volunteers Team Leader?
The application for becoming a Team Leader is part of the application form you submit to be a Student Volunteer. There is a section of the application form devoted to this topic. Applicants will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance for Team Leader positions in April 2008.

3. How do I apply for a Travel Assistance Award?
The application for a Travel Assistance Award is part of the application form you submit to be a Student Volunteer. A section of the application form is devoted to this topic. Notifications of Travel Assistance Awards will be emailed to those selected to be Student Volunteers shortly after acceptance.

4. My email address will be changing soon. How can I notify you of the update?
You can change your contact information, including your email address, through the online submission system at any time.

5. I have completed the online submission form, but it still allows me to edit my account. Am I done?
Yes. However, you may edit your online submission account at any time until the deadline of 25 February 2008, 22:00 UTC/GMT.

General

1. On my application, I indicated that I need housing and agreed to work 30 hours. Will housing automatically be awarded to me?
No. Student Volunteers who fulfill 30 hours or more and who do not live in the Los Angeles area are eligible for a housing award of up to six nights of accommodation in conference housing. Student Volunteers who are awarded housing will share accommodations with other accepted Student Volunteers. Applicants will receive notification of their housing awards upon acceptance.

2. Will Student Volunteers be able to experience some of the exhibits and other conference events?
Yes! This is one of the perks of being a Student Volunteer. You will have the equivalent of a Full Conference registration, so you will be able to go almost anywhere in the conference, except those places that require special access. The exhibit hall and most of the conference will be open to you during your free time.

3. What is a Student Volunteer expected to do at SIGGRAPH 2008?
Student Volunteers' jobs and activities can consist of anything from checking attendee badges at the sessions to assisting artists in the Studio and helping contributors with their installations. The jobs vary by program, length, and amount of involvement, but all play a very important role in running the conference.

4. What is a Team Leader expected to do at SIGGRAPH 2008?
Team Leader jobs and activities are similar to those of Student Volunteers but also include managing Student Volunteers in their areas and coordinating volunteer duties with SIGGRAPH 2008 Committee members. Typically, each Team Leader is assigned to a specific program and coordinates Student Volunteer staffing and tasks with that program's committee. Team Leaders also aid in training and supervising Student Volunteers, assisting committee members, assisting attendees, and problem solving.

5. Where can I find more information about SIGGRAPH 2008 events and schedules?
All information about SIGGRAPH 2008 can be found on the official web site.

Upon Acceptance and at SIGGRAPH 2008

1. When will I be expected to arrive in Los Angeles?
All accepted Student Volunteers must plan to arrive at the Los Angeles Convention Center no later than 4 pm on Sunday, 10 August 2008, for Student Volunteer Orientation and depart no earlier than Friday, 15 August 2008. Student Volunteer check-out will take place on Friday, 15 August 2008. Hotel check-out will take place on Saturday, 16 August 2008.

2. I'm a Student Volunteer working 30 hours and I am receiving complimentary hotel accommodation. I will arrive a day early at the conference. Can I get an extra night of accommodation?
No. If you are concerned about expenses, you may apply for a Travel Assistance Award.

3. I have been accepted as a Student Volunteer but am no longer able to attend the conference. Who should I notify?
If you need to decline your position for any reason, please email the Student Volunteers Committee as soon as possible so that we can make preparations for your absence.

4. Are meals provided by the Student Volunteers Program?
No. Each student is responsible for his or her own meals at the conference. Student Volunteers will receive a limited number of meal vouchers for use in the Los Angeles Convention Center's concessions. Depending on items purchased, this may cover only one meal at the convention center. SIGGRAPH 2008 also hosts one reception where food is served. Students should plan their budgets accordingly.

5. What should I wear during the conference?
Lightweight, comfortable clothes and shoes (appropriate T-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, jeans, trousers, sneakers). Many attendees dress casually during the conference, and formal business attire is generally not required. During the month of August, temperatures can be pleasantly warm in Los Angeles. The average temperature will be between 67 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (19 and 26 Celsius). It is very important that you bring comfortable shoes! You will be walking quite a bit during the week, and comfort is key. Also, bring a light sweater, sweatshirt, or longer-sleeved shirt. All rooms inside the convention center are air-conditioned.

Please remember that this is a professional conference. If you are not sure if something is appropriate or could be considered offensive, please ask.

6. How early will I be expected to work?
Depending on the duties assigned, students may have shifts that start as early as 7:30 am. Students need to report to the Student Volunteers office 30 minutes prior to their shift's start time to be marked present. Students will then be taken to their assignments by their Team Leader.

7. How late am I expected to work?
Most of the events will be finished around 6 or 7 pm at the latest. However, there are shifts that do run later. Some students may have schedules that run as late as 11 pm.

8. I have a laptop with a wireless network card. Will I be able to connect to the internet at the Los Angeles Convention Center?
Wireless service will be available throughout the convention center during SIGGRAPH 2008. The Student Volunteers office will also have connected computers available for Student Volunteer use during the conference.

9. I'm flying internationally. How early should I leave for the Los Angeles airport when I depart?
Most airlines require that you check in two hours in advance of your departure time for international flights. Please contact your airline for more specific information.

10. Are cameras allowed into the conference?
Unfortunately, SIGGRAPH 2008 does not allow cameras or recording devices. You can take your camera to the receptions, but cameras at the convention center are not permitted unless you have an approved media pass.

11. Am I allowed to bring personal items and bags to the convention center?
Yes. The Student Volunteers office will have a limited number of lockers available for use during daytime hours to store personal items and bags. However, locks will not be provided, so please bring your own. SIGGRAPH 2008 is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

12. What should I do if I am dismissed early from my shift?
If you are dismissed early from your shift, you should inform your Team Leader on duty and then report to the Student Volunteers office. If you cannot find your Team Leader, please report directly to the Student Volunteers office.

13. How do I get around the city and to the convention center?
The convention center is accessible from most conference hotels. The conference also provides attendees with shuttle service to and from hotels in the outlying area. Shuttle schedules are available at the convention center and at conference hotels. Shuttles will also be provided from the conference center to all SIGGRAPH 2008 hosted receptions. Transportation other than that provided by SIGGRAPH 2008 shuttles (for example, to and from the airport, sight-seeing activities, parties, etc.) is at your own expense.

Other

1. My question is not in these FAQs. Who should I ask?
If your question is not answered on this web site, please send a message to the Student Volunteers Committee. We will answer your question and post additional information on the web site, or send a message out to students if it applies to the student volunteer population as a whole.